Wrapping machine



Feb. 1o, 1953 G. 1. Hom. HAL 2,627,710

WRAPPING MACHINE Original FledApril 8, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l s @liv 6.dl Q' Feb. l0, 1953 G. HOHL ETAL 2,627,710

WRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 8, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wil' I 27I S@ 9 .i I I@ I 3J M :Hl

i?? 3 -j'l f4 l'lill f2-f. .s

I1 ll Il I INVENToRs.'

Feb. l0, 1953 G. l. Hol-u. r-:rAL

WRAPPING MACHINE Original Filed April 8, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 15%2 MRM,

Feb. 10, 1953 G. 1. HoHL ETAL WRAPPING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 4 OriginalFiled April 8, 1947 JNVENroRs.'

Patented Feb. 10, l1953 UNITED STATES @SENT 'OFFICE Processing EquipmentCorporation, Freehold, N. J., a corporation of New York Originalapplication April 8, 1947, Serial No. 740,134. Divided 'and thisapplication August 24, 1951,`Serial No. 247,056

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to automatic wrapping machinery; and theinvention has reference, more particularly, to a novel construction ofhigh speed, `continuous motion wrapping machine, this application beinga division of Aparent application Ser. No. 740,134, led April 8, 1947,now Patent Number 2,592,283, granted April 8, 1952.

The present invention has for an object to provide novel means fordelivering articles to be wrapped into the pockets of a rotated wrappingwheel with which the machine is provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide an oscillatable articletransfer means movable between the article supply means and a rotatedwrapping wheel having circumferentially spaced pockets for the receptionof transferred articles and wrappers 'therefor with which the machine isprovided, said transfer means operating in timed relation to thewrapping wheel movement, whereby to automatically insert articles andwrappers therefor in successive pockets of the wrapping wheel, subjectto wrapping operations.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will be understood from the following description of thesame.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view with parts in section showing thewrapping machine of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 2 2 inFig. l, but drawn on an enlarged scale, showing the initial position ofmeans for inserting an article together with wrapper material into apocket of the wrapping wheel; and Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal secitional view, taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2, but showing the position ofthe means for inserting an article together with wrapping material intoa pocket of the wrapping wheel 'as disposed at the end of its operativestroke; and Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, takenv online 5 5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryv vertical sectional View of the wrapping wheeland associated parts cooperative therewith to produce initial folds ofthe wrapper material about an article carried in a wrapping wheelpocket.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of means cooperative withthe wrapping wheel to produce initial -end'folds of the wrapper nia-i 2terial about the carried article; Fig. 8 is atop plan View of saidinitial end fold producing means as positioned in Fig. 7; and Fig.'9lisa'. view similar Vto that of Fig. '7 showing an `ad= vant-:edpositionof said initial end fold producing means.

Fig. 1,0 is a 'fragmentary side elevational view of means cooperativewith the wrapping `wheel to produce further end folds of the wrappermaterial about the carried articles.

Fig. 11 is 'afragmentary sideelevational view of means cooperative withthe wrapping wheel for completing the end lfolds of the wrapperinaterial about the carried article; and Fig. 12 is a horizontalsectional view of the'same, taken on une |2+s2 in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 'isa fragmentary side elevational View of means for ejectingwrapped articles from the pockets of the wrapping wheel.

Similar characters of reference are' employed inthe above describedviews, to indicate corre; spending parts.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrative em' bodiment of thisinvention shown thereby isV sized and designed for wrapping candy piecesor tablets or similar articles, but it will be under= stood that,without substantial departure from design and mode of operation, themachine may be readily adapted to wrap' other kindsof 'three dimensionalarticles.

The wrapping machine according to this in= vention comprises a wrappingwheel'mounted-on a shaft 21E. Said wrapping `wheel 'and its sha-Vit isadapted to be continuously rotated by suitable power transmission means(not shown). The wrapping wheel, in apr'eferred form thereof as shown,comprises a pair of wheel members 22 which are fixed on the shaft 2l `inlaterally spaced apart relation, the spacing being suoli as to conformto the length or width, as the case may be, oi `articles to be operatedupon. Provided in the peripheries of the wheel meme bers 22 are a'plurality of indenting, circumV ferentially spaced pocket formingnotches 23, the depths of which are such as to conform 'to the thicknessof the articles to be operated upon, Corresponding pocket formingnotches 23y of the respective wheel members are disposed in trans"-verse alignment, whereby to cooperate in forming a Vseries ofequi-spaced article and wrapper material receiving pockets around thewrapping wheel circumference. Each wheel member 22 is provided with'radial s1ots724 which respectively border corresponding sides of therespective pocket forming' notches 23.

Pivotally supported on the respective outer ends of transverse fulcrumpins 25, which are mounted to extend through and between the wheelmembers 22 inwardly of or behind the inner ends of the radial slots 24,are gripper members 26. Said gripper members are thus mounted on theexternal faces of the wheel members 22. Each gripper member 26 isprovided with an outwardly extending, inwardly offset gripper jaw 21which is housed in a slot 24 so as to oppose one side of a pocketforming notch 23 to which it is contiguous. The slots 24, in which saidgripper jaws are housed, are of widths exceeding the widths orthicknesses of said gripper jaws 21, whereby the latter may swing towardand from the pockets, being yieldably urged toward the latter bycompression spring elements 28. Said compression spring elements 2B aresupported in sockets 29 formed in the bodies of the gripper jaws to opentoward slot sides oppos-ed to the sockets in the faces of said gripperjaws 2.

Opposed to the wrapping wheel, in the plane thereof but spaced asuitable distance from the periphery thereof, is means for deliveringarticles to be wrapped subject to transfer to and insertion into thepockets of said wrapping wheel. One illustrative form of said deliverymeans as shown comprises a rotated delivery wheel 30 which is mounted ona drive shaft 3l. The periphery of said delivery wheel 3l) is providedwith a circumferential channel 32 of suitable depth and of a widthconforming `to the length or width, as the case may be, of articles tobe operated upon. Running over the periphery of said delivery wheel 30,Within the channel 32 thereof, is a conveyer belt 33, the top orreceiving course of which advances to the delivery wheel through acorrespondingly channeled loading table 34. The articles to be operatedupon are passed from a supply thereof, deposited upon the surface of theloading table 34, into the channel of the latter so as to lodge on andform a train thereof upon the conveyer belt 33, whereby to be advancedwith the latter over the delivery wheel.

Cooperative with the delivery wheel 30 and the conveyer belt 33 thereonis means adapted to remove the articles from said conveyer belt fordelivery to a transfer means which successively carries the same to andinserts them into successive pockets of the wrapping wheel. The meansfor thus removing articles from the conveyer belt 33 comprises astationary chute 35 which is suitably supported intermediate thedelivery wheel and the wrapping wheel. The upper or receiving endportion 35 of said chute curves inwardly toward the delivery wheel sothat its extremity is in contact with the periphery of said deliverywheel and with the surface of the conveyer belt 33 substantiallytangential thereto and in descending extension therefrom. The lower ordischarge end portion 33 of the chute terminates above a transfermechanism which is mounted to oscillate between the delivery wheel andthe wrapping wheel. The articles advanced by the conveyer belt 33, uponarrival at the chute, are deflected by the receiving end portion of saidchute so as to be removed from the conveyer belt. and thence to move,under gravity, downwardly through to chute to the transfer mechanism.

The transfer mechanism is a very important part of this mechanism, sinceby its oscillations, which are automatically controlled in timedrelation to the movement of the pockets of the continuously rotatedwrapping wheel to a predetermined article receiving point, the articlesto be wrapped are not only carried to the wrapping wheel but aresuccessively inserted in successive pockets thereof without necessityfo-r interrupting its continuous rotary motion. Said transfer mechanismcomprises an oscillator arm 3l' carried by a rock-shaft 3B so as toextend upwardly between the delivery wheel and the wrapping wheel. Theoscillatory movements of said oscillator arm 3l are produced andproperly timed by a rotated control cam 3E which actuates a crankarm t3that is affixed to and extends from said rock-shaft 38; said crank-armhaving an antifriction roller I which engages the periphery of saidcontrol cani. The roller 4l of the crankarm lll may be caused toyieldably follow the control arm 33 by any suitable means. Oneillustrative form of means for this purpose, as shown, comprises arocker member d2 which is pivotally mounted in connection with asupporting or bearing standard 43. One arm lt of said rocker member 42yieldably thrusts upon an antifriction roller 5.15 of a keeper lever13B, which extends from the rock-shaft 38, under the urge 0f compressionspring means ti which is operative upon the opposite arm i3 of saidrocker member.

The article delivered to the transfer mechanism, in the illustrativeembodiment of the invention as shown, comprises a candy piece C, andwill be so referred to hereinafter for convenience of description butwithout limiting intent. The upper or free end of the oscillator arm 3lis provided with mcans for supporting a candy piece C, whereby to carrythe same to the wrapping Wheel, and thereupon insert the candy pieceinto a receiving pocket of the latter. Said means is best shown in Figs.2 to 5 inclusive of the drawings, wherein, for better illustration andunderstanding of its mode of operation, the movement of said means isshown as if in rectilinear plane rather than in the actual arcuate planeas occurs in practice, and which will be obvious from an inspection ofFig. l. Said means comprises a head portion i9 in which the upper end oflthe oscillator arm 3l terminates. Integral with and above said headportion iff-S is an impeller member 53, the forward end portion 5i ofwhich projects freely beyond the head portion 49. Said impeller member53 substantially corresponds in width to the width or length, as thecase may be, of the candy piece C, and terminates at its forwardextremity in a thrust face 52 which is operative to abut a candy pieceso as to forwardly propel the same toward the wrapping wheel duringforward swinging movement of the oscillator arm 37. Beneath the impellermember 50, said head portion iii is provided in its opposite side faceswith longitudinal guide channels or ways 53. Mounted beneath saidimpeller member 53, subject to longitudinal movements relative thereto,is a platform plate lill provided with a bifurcate rear end portion, thelegs 55 of which straddle the head portion 43 so as to be respectivelyslidably supported in said guide channels or ways 53. The platform plateis of a width substantially exceeding the widths of the head portion 49and impeller member 50. Adjacent to its forward extremity, said platformplate 54 is provided with upstanding keeper lugs 55 which are so spaced,transversely yof lthe platform plate, as to straddle the impeller member50 and a candy piece C, when said candy piece is deposited upon saidplatform plate in front of the impeller member, whereby to retain saidally connected with the platform 54, at points adjacent to its rearwardend so as to respectively extend forwardly along the underface of saidplatform plate and respectively eXteri-orly of the opposite sides of thehead portion 49 and impeller member 5i), are a pair of -laterallyswingable gripper elements 51. The forward end por- -tions of thegripper elements 51 terminate in outwardly offset, upwardly projectingarms 53 which, in turn, terminate in forward extensions 59 disposed in aplane above the top surface of the platform plate 54. Connected with theouter ends of said extensions 59 are inwardly and laterally projectinggripper jaws 65, which'cross in front of the aforesaid keeper lugs 56.The free ends of said gripper jaws Eil terminate in chamfered jaw facesBI. The side marginal portions of the platform plate 5I are cut away Iat62 to vprovide clearance for the arms 58 of said gripper elements.Dependent from the under face -of the platform plate 54, at therespective opposite sides thereof and exteriorly of the rearwardportions of said gripper elements 51, are abutment lugs 63 to purchasecompression springs 64 for yieldable in-swinging thrust upon saidgripper elements. Said gripper `elements 51 straddle lthe headportion49, andare provided on their vinner sides, for normal dispositionin front of the -fo-rward end of said head portion when the platformplate 54 occupies its forwardly disposed candy piece supportingposition, with cam portions .55. adapted to be engaged by said headportion, when the platform plate 54 is rearwardly moved relative theretoand to vsaid impeller member 55, whereby to induce outswinging movementsof the gripper jawst from initial holding relation -to a candy piece Cwhich is supported by the advanced platform plate in front of saidimpeller member 50. The platform plate 54 is provided with means forcontrolling Aand timing its longitudinalmovements relative to the headportion 45 and impeller member 5&2. This means includes a stop ear 65disposed to project'laterally from the rearward end portion of theplatform plate at one side thereof and preferably at both sides thereof.Dependent from the discharge end portion 36 of the chute 35, at one orboth sides thereof `as the case maybe, is a stop linger 61 with which astop ear '65 of the platform plate 54 rcooperates at proper times, aswill presently appear.

By its rearward swingingmovement, the oscillator arm 3l carries the headportion 45 and impeller member 50 into stopped relation contiguous tothe delivery wheel 30, during which movement the rear -end of the thenretracted platform plate 54 is carried into engagement with theperiphery of the delivery wheel 3i), so that rearward movement of saidplatform plate, in company with the head portion 49 and impeller member50, is arrested while rearward movement of ythe head portion andimpeller member continues. This results in a forward sliding movement ofthe platform plate relative to the head portion and impeller member,whereby the forward end portion of the platform plate is pro' jectedbeyond the thrust face 52 of the impeller member 50, being thus disposedto receive and support a candy piece C deposited thereon from the chute35.

It will be understood that the top face of `the impeller member 50, asit moves beneath the mouth of thedischarge end of the chute 35, oper-Said cam portions 55 arel ates las detent means for holding candy l.pieces' piece receiving and supporting.positiomthe rear-- ward movementof the impeller member 50 will carry its thrust face 52 past thedischargemouth of thechute 35, so that a candy piece C may drop from thelatter onto the platform plate A54 between the keeper lugs 5t 'andinfrontvof said thrust face 52 of theimpel-ler member. `By 'the time thecandy piece is so deposited, the cam portions of the grip-per elements51 will beepsengaged by the rearwardly moving vhead portion 45,thuspermitting said gripper elements to: swing inwardly under theimpulsion of their springs 254, and thereby to close the'gripper vjaws60 in holdi ing relation to the deposited candy piece. The transfermechanism being thus loaded is ready to make its ensuing vswing towardthe wrapping wheel, whereby to deliver the carried candy piece thereto(see Figs. 2 and 3).

Means is provided for delivering wrapperifma-` terial between theretracted vtransfer mechanism and the wrapping wheel. The wrappermaterial may be of Yany suitable kind, such e. g. astransparentcellulose or cellophane, waxedpaper :or ordinary paper. It is preferableto supply-.the

wrapper material, which is indicatedbytherefer-v ence character W, inthe form of acontinuous web of suitable width adapted to be drawnlfrom asuitably positioned supply roll `5B `byia pair .of

feed rollers, through thelnip 'of .whichthe web'v is passed. From thefeed'rollers 59, the 'wrapper` material passes through cutting meanswhich,.as

illustratively shown, comprises alstationaryfknife.

it and a rotary knife 1i which is cooperative therewith. The rotaryknife 1l is driven in suitably timed relation to the coordinatedmovementsl of the wrapping wheel and transfer mechanism, so as to severfrom the web a section vof the wrapper material which is adapted toprovide an individual wrapper subject to engagement between a candypiece'C as advanced by the transfer mechanism and means for holding thewrapper relative to said `candy piece until the latter and .said wrapperare ultimately together inserted in a receiving pocket of the wrappingThe means for thus `holding 'the wrapper1 wheel. in engagement with yanadvancing Candypiece comprises a pivoted retainer member v'i2 whichextends through the space intermediate'the side sections of the wrappingwheel so that its gripping' nose 13 is opposed to the candy piecevCwhic'h'i's carried and advanced by the transfermcchanism. Saidretainer member 12 .is yieldably outswung to normally project itsgripping nose '13 beyond the periphery of the wrapping wheel, 'and tothis end is controlled by a crank arm 14 to which is connected a pullspring 15 (see Fig; 1)

As arranged for coordinated relative movements, as a receiving pocket ofthe continuously rotated wrapping wheel moves toward a point oppositethe transfer mechanism the forward Inovement of the latter is occurring,so that acandy'- piece C is advanced toward the wrapping wheel. Theadvancing candy piece rst Aengages the wrapper, so that the latter ispushed against'the gripping nose 'i3 of the yieldable retainer l'meinberl2, at which moment the wrapper section is severed from the web ofwrapper material by the cutting means V'f5-JH. The transfer mechanism istimed to complete its candy piece advancing stroke at the moment areceiving pocket of the wrapping wheel reaches alignment withA andvopposes thek candy piece, and `consequently thefim-ipeller member 50 ofthe transfer mechanism pushes the candy piece, together with the wrapperinto said receiving pocket (see Figs. 4 and 5). Just before the candypiece is thus entered in a receiving pocket of the wrapping wheel, andbefore the advancing movement of the head portion 4S and impeller member5G is completed, the stop ear means E6 of the then advanced platformplate 54 abuts the stationary stop nger means 6l, thus arresting forwardmovement of the platform plate in company with the head portion i9 andimpeller member t, which results in a retractive sliding movement of theplatform plate relative to these parts, thus withdrawing said platformplate from its initially advanced position. Thereafter continued forwardmovement of the head portion L19 passes the same between and intoengagement with the cam portions 55 of the gripper elements 5?, therebyoutswinging the latter so as to withdraw the gripper jaws 5D from thecandy piece C and out of the path of movement of said candy piece as itcontinues to move on under the propulsion of the impelier member 50, andultimately into a receiving pocket of the wrapping wheel (see Fig. 4)Such arresting of the platform plate 541 also restrains the same fromengaging or interfering with the rotating wrapping wheel, and allows theimpeller member 50 to advance freely beyond the forward end of theplatform plate so as to remove the candy piece therefrom, and thereuponcomplete propulsion of the candy piece into a receiving pocket of thewrapping wheel (see Figs. 4 and 5). Immediately the candy piece andwrapper therefor are thus deposited in a receiving pocket of the fwrapping wheel, the transfer mechanism is retracted to initial backswung position, whereby to condition the same for the reception andsupport of another candy piece, in the manner already hereinabovedescribed, ready to be advanced and delivered to a succeeding receivingpocket of the wrapping wheel by repetition of the operations immediatelyabove described.

It will be understood that the tensionally yieldable gripper jaws 2which border each receiving pocket of the wrapping wheel will yield tothe entrance of candy pieces and associated wrappers into said receivingpockets. Said yieldable gripper jaws 2 not only accommodate thereceiving pockets in compensation for any slight variations which mayoccur in size of the candy pieces, but also, by their tensional thrust,serve to grip the candy pieces and wrappers between pocket walls, so asto firmly and securely hold the same against accidental shift in ordisplacement from the pockets.

It will be obvious that, as a candy piece entering a receiving pocket ofthe wrapping wheel pushes the wrapper therewith into said pocket thewrapper will be initially folded about the back and sides of the candypiece which are contiguous to the pocket walls, and that front flaps ofthe wrapper, viz. a trailing front flap f and a leading front flap f',will project radially ln extension from the periphery or" the wrappingwheel, while end portions e of the wrapper will project laterallyoutward in extension from the external sides of the wrapping wheel.

After the candy piece with its wrapper is deposited in a receivingpocket of the wrapping wheel, said candy piece and wrapper assembly ismoved by the rotation of the wrapping wheel so as to successively passvarious means whereby the folding of the wrapper entirely about thecandy piece is accomplished. Preparatory to movement relative to saidvarious wrapper folding means, a down-folding of the trailing front flapj of the wrapper over the outer face of the deposited candy piece iseffected. The means for thus down-folding said trailing front flap fcomprises a folding blade 'l which is carried at the end of anoscillatable lever member Ti, so as to extend transversely across theperiphery of the wrapping wheel above the point occupied by a receivingpocket thereof at which a candy piece with its wrapper is entered insaid pocket. Said lever member 'il' is pivoted to swing about the axisof rotation of the wrapping wheel, and its oscillations are produced andproperly timed by a rotating cam wheel 78. Said lever member 'Il isprovided with an angularly extending arm 19 having an anti-frictionroller B which rides upon the periphery of said cam wheel 78, whereby toeffect the operative movements of said lever member il and folding blade'i6 carried thereby.

Immediately the candy piece with its wrapper is deposited in a receivingpocket of the wrapping wheel, the folding blade it is timed to make anoperative down stroke which carries it against the trailing front flap fso as to swing down said iiap, and thus fold it iiatly against andacross the outer face of the candy piece (see Fig. 6).

Extending for a suitable distance along and contiguous to th-e peripheryof the wrapping wheel, from a point adjacent that at which a pocket ofthe latter receives a candy piece with its wrapper, is a stationarycombined folding and keeper plate 8l, the width of which substantiallycorresponds to the width of the wrapping wheel. As the candy piece iscarried along by the rotation of the wrapping wheel beneath said foldingand keeper plate 8|, the leading front flap f' will be moved against theforward end thereof so as to be turned over thereby atly across theouter face of the candy piece, and so as to lap the previously foldedtrailing front flap (see Fig. 6). It will be understood that, asmovement of the candy piece and wrapper relative to said stationaryfolding and keeper plate 8l continues, said plate serves to retain saidiiaps f and f in their described folded relation to the candy piece,while the ends e or the wrapper project beyond the lateral margins ofsaid folding and keeper plate, so as to be engageable by means operativeto form the necessary tucks and folds therein by which the ends of thecandy piece are embraced and covered.

Bordering the folding and keeper plate 8|, in a selected advancedposition beyond the point at which a pocket of the wrapping wheelreceives a candy piece with its wrapper, is means for tucking and downfolding the trailing sides of the laterally extending ends e of thewrapper. This means comprises revolving arms 82 respectively disposedadjacent each side of the wrapping wheel, so as to revolve in planesparallel to that of the wrapping wheel. Said arms 82, as viewed in Figs.l, 7 and 9, revolve in counter-clockwise direction, and thus oppositelyto the rotation of the wrapping wheel, which is in clockwise directionas viewed in the same figures. Amxed to each revolving arm S2, at a sidethereof which opposes the adjacent face of the wrapping wheel, is atucker finger 83. Said tucker finger 33 lies in a plane substantiallyparallel to theV plane of the adjacent face of the wrapping wheel, andprojects forwardly, i. e. in the direction of rotation of the arm 82.Also aiixed to each revolving arm 82 is a folder nger 84, which alsoprojects forwardly, i. e. in the direction of rotation of the so timedrelative tothe rotary progress of the wrapping wheel that the tuckerngers 83 are rapidly carried against the trailing sides of theprojecting wrapper ends e, so as to first tuck inward the vertical facesthereof against the adjacent end of the candy piece (see Fig. '7).Following this, the continuing revolution of the arms 82 carries thefolder fingers 31% over and downwardly against the horizontallyextending. portions of the wrapper ends e at points adi acent to thetrailing sides of the latter, thereby down folding these portions of thewrapper ends relative to the ends of the candy piece (see Fig. 9). Theseoperations leave the leading sides of the wrapper ends e still insomewhat outwardlyr projecting extension (again see Fig. 9).

Beyond the above described revolving tucking and folding means,additional means is provided for completing the infolding anddown-folding of the leading sides of the wrapper ends e. This lattermeans comprises suitably supported stationary folder plates 85 which lapthe external side marginal portions of the wrapping wheel and Vtheforward end portion` of the folding and keeper plate 8| in s'itablyspaced contiguous relation thereto. Each folder plate 85 is provided atits rearward end with a downwardly and forwardly inclined vertical plowportion 86, which preferably terminates at its upper or inner end in arearwardly projecting undercut nosing 81; the latter being so disposedas to intersect and overhang the plane of the bottom of a receivingpocket 0f the wrapping wheel, when said pocket is advanced by rotationof the wrapping wheel past the rearward end of said folder plate 85. l

After the candy piece and associated wrapper, as advanced by thewrapping wheel, leaves the revolving tucking and folding means, theleading sides of the wrapper ends e are carri-ed into engagement withthe folder plates 85 so as to pass beneath the nosings 81, and thence inpassing engagement with the plow portions 8E and behind the bodies ofsaid folder plates, all whereby said leading sides of the wrapper ends eare both inturned and down-turned to extend somewhat di- --agonallyacross and in parallel plane relative to the ends of the candy piece,and so as to lap the previously down-folded portions of the trailingsides of said wrapper ends e, thus leaving free end portions or tabs tof the folded wrapper m-aterial projecting beyond the ends of the candypiece and right angularly to the outer face plane thereof (see Fig. l0)

Provided in connection with the forward end portions of said folderplates 85, so as to extend therebetween in curved plane corresponding tothe curvature of the wrapping wheel periphery, and disposed so as to bespaced contiguous to the latter, is a wrapper tab end folder plate 38.Said tab end folder plate 83, as thus bridging between the folder plates85, may be formed, if desired, to be integral therewith. Said tap endfolder plate 88 begins adjacent to the forward end of the folding andkeeper plate 8l. The rearward portion of the tab end folder plate V88,which opposes 1G the adjacent end of the folding and keeper plate 8|, isshaped to provide an open substantially V- shaped mouth 89, the sides ofwhich are formed to provide chamfered turn-over plow sections whichconverge upon the medial line or axis of the tab end folder plate body(see Fig. 12),.

After the down-folded tab ends t of the wrapper have been formed,advance of the thus partially wrapped candy piece by the wrapping wheelcarri-es said tab ends respectively into passing engagement with therespective turn-over plow sections 98, by which the same are up-swungand in-turned to overlie the outer face of the candy piece and theenclosing lapped wrapper folds ,f and f', thereby completing the wrapperfolding operations (see Fig. 11). The thus folded tab ends t are carriedon beneath the body of the plate` 88, so as to be held thereby in theirfolded positions.

Means is provided for sealing down the folded tab ends t. Means for thispurpose may be various in kind and location according to the particularcharacter of wraorer material employed. In the illustrative embodimentof the machine of this invention as shown, the sealing means is of akind and is so located as to operate upon heat sealable wrappingmaterial, such e. g, as cellophane, which is the preferred kind ofwrapping material. The sealing means therefore, as shown (see Fig. 1),is located adiacent to forward terminus of the tab end folder plate 89,and comprises an electrically heated sealing iron 9i which is adapted tobe brought in contact with the folded tab ends t, so that` the heatapplied to the letter will thereby cause said tab ends to adhere to theunderlying Wrapper folds f and f. Preferably said sealing iron ispivoted on a support 92 so that, by suitable actuating means (notshown), it may be swung inward for momentary pressurecontact with thewrapped candy piece passing thereunder, and thereafter relaxed.

Extending along the periphery of the wrapping wheel, from said sealingmeans to a pointadjacent that at which wrapped candy pieces areV to bedischarged from the pockets of said wrapping wheel, isa keeper plate 93.

Means is provi-ded for automatically discharging the wrapped candypieces, as the pockets of the wrapping wheel containing the same arriveat a predetermined point in the orbit of the wheel periphery. Saidmeans, inlone illustrative form thereof as shown, comprises anoscillatable ejector member 94 which is pivotally suspended from astationary bracket 95, so that its free end portion extends downwardlybetween the wrapping wheel members 22, and normally behind a receivingpocket of the wrapping wheel where it passes the predetermined`discharge point in thefwrap- .ping wheel orbit. Extending outwardly, atsaid predetermined discharge point, from the wrapping wheel periphery isa channeled runway 9 6 into which the eiected wrapped candy piece-s are`successively discharged. Suitable means i-s provided for producingtimed -oscillation of said ejector member 94, which, illustratively,Comprises. a reciprocable link 91 having at itsv rearward end a slottedhead 98 slidably' supported on a guide block 99, whichis, in turn,immovably supported on a shaft I8@ lby which an actuating cam it! isrotated. The cam IOI bears against a thrust stud in the form of ananti-friction roller |62, which is mountedon vthe head 98 of therecipro-cable link. A compression spring |183 y mounted between the:outer end of the head98 and the guide block 9;9 Causes the `roller1912.110

follow the cam itl, so that desired reciprocation of the link 97 by thelatter is assured. It will be understood th-at any other suitable meansmay be provided whereby to cause the link 91 to follow the cam subjectto the reciprocating effect thereof. The `outer end of the reciprocablelink S1 is pivotally Aconnected with a pivoted rocker arm IM, to whichis also pivotally connected one end of a connecting link |65. Theopposite or `outer end of said connecting link |95 is pivotallyconnected with the ejector member Sli so as to impart its movementthereto, and thus effect timed oscillation of said ejector member. Inoperation, as a receiving pocket of the Wrapping wheel approaches thepoint at which it is desired to discharge a wrapped candy piecetherefrom, said wrapped candy piece will be carried in front of theretracted ejector member 9d (see Fig. l), and as said discharge point isreached, the ejector member actuating mechanism is timed to cause aforward swing of said ejector member, whereby the latter engages andpushes the wrapped candy piece out of the wrapping wheel pocket landdeposits it within the runway 9B (see Fig. 13), the ejector member beingthereupon immediately retracted to normal initial position. Theseoperations are repeated as each wra-pped candy piece containing pocketreaches the said discharge point in the wrapping Wheel orbit.

From the above description it will be apparent that the machine of thisinvention is of the continuous rotary type, wherein the wrapper foldingmanipulations are performed by agencies lying adjacent to the orbit ofthe peripheral portions of the wrapping wheel, and are operative withoutnecessity for interrupting the rotary motion of the wrapping wheel. Itwill also be apparent that the means for introducing into the wrappingwheel pockets the articles to be wrapped together with wrapper materialtherefor is `so devised that it also functions in a positive and rapidmanner likewise without necessity for interrupting-the rotary moton ofthe wrapping wheel. It will therefore be understood that a very compactand yet rapid and efficient wrapping machine is provided by thisinvention.

We are aware that many changes could be made in the described mechanismsand details of con-struction thereof as shown in the accompanyingdrawings without departing from the scope of this invention as definedby the following claims. It is therefore intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

We claim:

1,-In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheel havingcircumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for the reception oftransferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer means comprising apivoted oscillator arm terminating in an impeller means, a relativelymovable platform plate slidably mounted in connection with the impellermeans to initially project the forward thrusting end thereof, whereby tosupport an article to be transferred subject to propulsion thereby, andmeans operative to retract and advance said platform plate respectivelyduring end phases of the forward and back movements of the impellermeans.

2. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheel havingcircumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for the reception oftransferred articles to be Wrapped, said transfer mea-ns comprising apivoted oscillator arm terminating in an impeller means, a relativelymovable platform plate slidably mounted in connection with the impellermeans to initially project beyond the forward thrusting end thereof,whereby to support an article to be transferred subject to propulsionthereby, means operative to retract and advance said platform platerespectively during the phases of the forward and back movements of theimpeller means, and yieldable means cooperative with the impeller meansfor holding a wrapper in engagement with an article when the latter issubject to the propulsive thrust of the impeller means.

3. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheel havingcircumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for the reception oftransferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer means comprising apivoted oscillator arm terminating in an impeller means, a relativelymovable platform plate slidably mounted in connection with the impellermeans to initially project beyond the forward thrusting end thereof,whereby to support an article to be transferred subject to propulsionthereby, means operative to retract and advance said platform platerespectively during end phases of the forward and back movements of theimpeller means, and means carried lby said platform plate adapted to becontrolled by the movements thereof, whereby to engage and hold anarticle on the platform plate when the latter is forwardly projected forarticle support and to release said article when said platform plate isretracted from article supporting position.

. 4. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer meansmovable Ibetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheelhaving circumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for thereception of transferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer meanscomprising a pivoted oscillator arm terminating in an impeller means, arelatively movable platform plate slidably mounted in connection withthe impeller means to initially project beyond the forward thrusting endthereof, whereby to support an article to be transferred subject topropulsion thereby, means operative to retract and advance said platformplate respectively during end phases of the forward and back movementsof the impeller means, and means carried .by said platform plate adaptedto be controlled by the movements thereof, whereby to engage and hold anarticle on the platform plate when the latter is forwardly projected forarticle support and to release said article when said platform plate isretracted from article supporting position, said latter means comprisinggripper members pivotally mounted on the platform plate adjacentopposite sides of the impeller means, spring means to yieldably swinginward said gripper members into holding relation to the platform platesupported article, said gripper means having cam portions cooperativewith said impeller means for outswinging the gripper members to releasethe article when the platform plate is Withdrawn from article supportingposition.

5. In a Wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means asdened in claim 4 including yieldable means cooperative with the impeller13 means for holding a wrapper in engagement with an article when thelatter is subject to the propulsive thrust of the impeller means.

6. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheel havingciroumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for the reception oftransferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer means comprising apivoted oscillator arm having a head portion at its free endv and animpeller member above said head portion, the forward end ofV saidpropeller member freely projecting beyond said head portion, a platformplate slidably supported by said head portion beneath said impellermember, the forward end portion of said platform plate` being adapted tobe initially projected beyondk the forward thrustingend of the impellermember, whereby to support an article to be transferred subject to thethrust of the impeller member, and means operative to retract andadvance said platform plate relative to the thrusting end of theimpeller member respectively Aduring end phases of theY forward and backmovements of the oscillator arm.

7. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and ak rotated wrapping wheel havingcircumferentially spaced pockets in its peripheryfor thereception oftransferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer means comprisingapivoted oscillator arm having a head portion at its free end and animpeller member above said head portion, the forward end of saidpropeller member freely projecting'beyond said head portion, a platformplate slidably supported by said head portion beneath said impellermember, the forward end portion of said platform plate being adapted tobe initially projected beyond the forward thrusting end of the impellermember, whereby to support an article to be transferred subject to thethrust of the impeller member, means operative to retract and advancesaid platform plate relative to the thrusting end of the impeller memberrespectively during end phases of the forward and back movements of theoscillator arm, and means cooperative with the impeller member forholding a wrapper in engagement with an article when the latter issubject to the propulsive thru-st of said impeller member.

8. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means movablebetween an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheel havingcircumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for the reception oftransferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer means comprising apivoted oscillator arm having a head portion at its free end and animpeller member above said head portion, the forward end of saidpropeller member freely projecting beyond said head portion, a platformplate slidably supported by said head portion beneath said impellermember, the forward end portion of said platform plate being adapted tobe initially projected beyond the forward thrusting end of the impellermember, whereby to support an article to be transferred subject to thethrust of the impeller member, means operative to retract and advancesaid platform plate relative to the thrusting end of the impeller memberrespectively during end phases of the forward and baci: movements of theoscillator arm, and means carried by said platform plate adapted to becontrolled by the movements thereof, whereby to engage and hold "i4 anarticle on the platformplatewhen the-latterfisV forwardlyl projected forartiolesupport and' to release said article when said platform platezisretracted from article supporting position.

9. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable-arfticle transfer meansmovablefbetween anarticle delivery means and a rotated wrapping' wheelhaving circumferentiallyA spaced pockets.- ink its periphery forthe-reception of transferred articles to be wrapped, said'transfer'meanscomprising a pivoted oscillator arm havingV ahead portion at its freeend and an'impellermember above said head portion, the forward endoffsaid propeller member freely projecting beyond said head portion, aplatform slidably supported by said headv portionbeneath'-saidzimpellergmember. the` forward' end portion` of saidplatform plate being adapted to be initiallyprojectedbeyond the forwardthrusting end of `therimpellerrmennber, Wherebyto support an article tobev trans ferred subject to thel thrust of the'impellermemr ber,Vmeansoperative toretract and advancefsaid platform plate relative tothethrusting end .of the impeller memberA respectively duringa end phasesof the forward and back movements' of the oscillator arm, meanscarriedbysaidplatform plate adapted to be-controlledlby'the moyements thereof,whereby to.` engagetY and hold an article on the platform` platewhenzthe. latter is forwardly projected for article supportzandttorelease saidv article whenF said platform plate-"is retracted fromarticle supporting position,. said latter means comprising gripper`members pivotally mounted on. said, platform. plate' adjacent oppositesides of the impeller member, spring means to yieldably swing inwardsaid gripper members into holding relationv to a platform platesupported article, and said gripper members having cam portionscooperative with sides of the head portion of the oscillator arm foroutswinging the gripper members to release said article when theplatform plate is retracted from article supporting position.

l0. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means asdefined in claim 9 including yieldable means cooperative with theimpeller member for holding a wrapper in engagement with an article whenthe latter is subject to propulsive thrust of said impeller member.

l1. In a wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer meansmovable between an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping wheelhaving circumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for thereception of transferred articles to be wrapped, said transfer meanscomprising a pivoted oscillator arm having a head portion at its freeend and an impeller member above said head portion, the forward end ofsaid propeller member freely projecting beyond said head portion, aplatform plate slidably supported by said head portion beneath theimpeller member, the forward end portion of said platform plate beingadapted to be initially projected beyond the forward thrusting end ofthe impeller member, whereby to support an article to be transferredsubject to the thrust of the impeller member, the rear end of saidplatform plate being engageable by the article delivery means during theend phase of back swinging movement of the oscillator arm whereby toadvance the platform plate to initially projected relation to thethrusting end of the propeller member, said platform plate having alaterally projecting stop ear, and a stationary stop finger lying in theforward path of movement of said stop ear, whereby to engage the latterduring the end phase of forward swinging movement of the oscillator armand thus to retract the platform plate from initially projected articlesupporting relation to the thrusting end of the propeller member.

12. In a 'rapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer means asdened in claim 11 including yieldable means cooperative with theimpeller member for holding a wrapper in engagement with an article whenthe latter is subject to propulsive thrust of said impeller member.

13. In a Wrapping machine, an oscillatable article transfer meansmovable between an article delivery means and a rotated wrapping Wheelhaving circumferentially spaced pockets in its periphery for thereception of transferred articles to be Wrapped, said transfer meanscomprisin'g a pivoted oscillator arm having a head portion at its freeend and an impeller member above said head portion, the forward end ofsaid propeller member freely projecting beyond said head portion, aplatform plate slidably supported by said head portion beneath theimpeller member, the forward end portion of said platform plate beingadapted to be initially projected beyond the forward thrusting end o1the impeller member, whereby to support an article to be transferredsubject to the thrust of the impeller member, the rear end of saidplatform plate being engageable by the article delivery means during theend phase of back swinging movement of the oscillator arm whereby toadvance the platform plate to initially projected relation to thethrusting end of the propeller member, said platform plate having alaterally projecting stop ear, a stationary stop linger lying in theforward path of movement of said stop 16 ear, whereby to engage thelatter during the end phase of forward swinging movement of theoscillator arm and thus to retract the platform plate from initiallyprojected article supporting relation to the thrusting end of thepropeller member, gripper members pivotally mounted on said platformplate adjacent opposite sides of the iznpeller member, spring means toyieldably swing inward said gripper members into holding rela-tion to aplatform plate supported article, and said gripper members having camportions cooperative with sides of the head portion of the oscillatorarm for outswinging the gripper members to release said article when theplatform plate is retracted from article supporting position.

la. In a wrapping machine, an oscilla-table article transfer means asdenned in claim 13 including yieldabie means cooperative with theimpeller member for holding a wrapper in engagement with an article whenthe latter is subject to propulsive thrust of said propeller member.

GEORGE I. HOHL.

FREDERICK H. WEISE.

GOTTLIEB A. RIST.

JOI-1N M. BIST.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNETED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,955,493 Grover Apr. 17, 19341,984,850 Van Buren Dec. 18, 1934 2,180,163 Milmoe et al. Nov. 14, 1939

